Just diagnosed

[Abella]

Hi janebelinda.
My surgery is afternoon one so got to be there for 10.30 for the injection then ward for 11. Can't have anything to eat after 8 in the morning but can drink water til 11. But to be honest who wants to eat I certainly won't or sleep the night before. I now it's coming out and it's the start of recovery but it all seems to much as the next step is chemotherapy radiotherapy. It's seems our lives will never get back to normal.

[JaneBelinda]

Hi Abella, the injection whilst uncomfortable being done is over in seconds. Personally I didn’t go blue but some ladies report blue pee for a while. In my case I sat clutching my little prep bag with 4 other ladies and husbands from 7.30 am. I had meetings with BC nurse, surgeon (when he drew on the area for op) and anaesthetist ALL of whom put my mind at ease. I was booked for morning surgery but in reality I did not go to surgery until 3.15. A loooooooong day but I treated myself to some glossy magazines and settled down for a few hours reading. I also took some daft fluffy flamingo slippers and a dressing gown. We were walked to the day ward in pairs of patients and taken down to theatre individually. Then it was onto the bed, chatting to the nurse before the anaesthetist came in, and after that obviously I don’t remember anything 🙂

The hardest part was not having food or drink on waking The day of surgery: they did reluctantly allow me a few sips of water as I was last to go down. But on coming round I was offered jelly, yogurts, tea, choc, coffee and a range of lush sandwiches. I tell you, egg and mayo on brown never tasted so good! And as a bonus, as I was last, my surgeon came down to see me on his way home. 

Believe me, on the day you just go with the flow...I couldn’t wait for my surgery as I knew it was the start of my getting rid of BC and getting up to normal. 

Keep your chin up: none of us here really fancied climbing Everest but it IS doable, it DOES feel like a great achievement afterwards and it WILL be over before you know it. 

[ann-m]

As ever, Abella, the prospect is worse than the reality. For me the radioactive injection was no worse than having a jab & there were no after effects from it.
You’re now well on the path to getting it dealt with & on Tuesday it will be gone.
It’s ok to feel you need support from the family & they can do it too.
ann x

[Abella]

Hi everyone.
Well had my pre op on Monday and everything seems real now. My operation is on Tuesday and I'm not sure I can be strong in front of my mom and kids. Don't want them to worry about me but I seem to be putting on a brave face.
Not looking forward to the injection for radioactive stuff . Any reassurance would be appreciated.
Abella

[Abella]

Hi Emily
Thank you I'll keep it in mind.
Abella

[EmilyA_BCN]

Hi Abella

It's Emily from Breast Cancer Care.

I'm really sorry to hear about your diagnosis and understandably, your worries and the stress that comes with this, which can turn your world upside down.

I just wanted to let you know that we have telephone volunteers who have had similar treatments to you and are now a few years' past their diagnosis. I'd be happy to put you in touch with someone if you'd like to talk. Feel free to give us a call on 0345 077 1893 if you'd like me to put you in touch with someone.

Best wishes

Emily at Breast Cancer Care 

[JaneBelinda]

Amazon, £19.99

search for Jojoans 4 Pack Bralette

They go up to 3XL

Really are excellent 🙂

[JaneBelinda]

Hi Abella, Mine was 30mm, right boob, sort of positioned bottom left towards armpit. Invasive, tubular. Can’t recall the terminology for it exactly but it was Grade 1 invasive, ER7, PR8, HER2 negative. I am now on tamoxifen for ten years. 

That’s great you’re taking a break! 

Pretty sure they were in large too. I got medium, for 34DD and inside it says size 14-16. I am size 10 though and they do stretch an awful lot. I will try to find the link now. I am just taking a quick lunch break here. x

[Abella]

Hi janebelinda. Thank you for your messages. I work on a busy motorway service station as a shift manager so I chose to have time off as it's stress full at times also serving public I was frightened incase I got I'll before my operation
I hope I only need radiotherapy like you it would be one thinges less to panic over.
Was your cancer hormonal? Mined not.
Where was your lump situated? Mine towards side of breast by armpit.
I'm going away the 31st Aug 3 days after my operation for the weekend with family so I wI'll be waited on hand and foot. Hopefully it will help me to relax a little because I can't get a good night's sleep keep waking up with hot sweats . I think God what next . Those bra let's you suggested do they do big sizes . Good luck with the rest of your treatment.
Anne

[JaneBelinda]

Abella, if I can offer a bit of advice? Order yourself a set of padded bralets off Amazon now in readiness. I got 4, (white, grey, flesh and black): they are soft, stretchy, lightly padded and wireless of course AND they really support you! I wore mine after surgery, even slept in them as I found it omfortable and tender, post op, at night. I am also wearing them now during radiotherapy in anticipation of some discomfort as treatment goes on it also because they are so quick and easy to get off and on daily at hospital. 

I cant recall the make (husband got them on prime account). Jo Joannies or something....approx £17 for the pack. x

[JaneBelinda]

Abella, you are exactly where I was two month ago (lumpectomy on 28 June, sentinel node biopsy also).

I am now On The last stage of this journey and part way through radiotherapy. 

Believe me, the waiting times are DEFINITELY the worst but it sounds to me you’ve already got an excellent start with no visible cancer in lymphs so chances are your SNB will be clear too...let’s hope so!

I haven’t had any time off work as I am a director in a small busy company: it helped me to be at work but everyone is different I know. In my case, I took the rest of the day off on being diagnosed, so I could go home and let it sink in because it was an unbelievable shock.

My op was on a Thursday and I was back at work driving on the Monday, drive to Silverstone for the Grand Prix the next weekend and then Hungary for more F1 while my op settled down before radiotherapy. That finishes on Sept 4 and I leave for Turkey for the World Rally Championship on 8 September.  Everyone is different and I feel fortunate in that I’ve been able to just get my head around it, accept it, go with it....and be determined that ruddy breast cancer was NOT going to get in the way of my life! 

There is so much lovely support and advice on here...I wish you all the best on your journey and with a good wind behind you that you are all ‘done and dusted’ by end of October 🙂

[Abella]

Hi Thank you for your message. My grandchildren keep me on my toes but I seem more tired after a few hours. Family and friends support is the key as they're there for a chat or coffee. My brother took me out to lunch on Monday so that was a lovely distraction I could do it all the while.
Best wishes
Anne

[Paulus]

Hello Abella

It's the waiting and the worry gremlins that gets us every time  -  and every time someone new comes here so full of anxiety, I just wish we had something that could take it all that fear and dread away.  None of us did anything to deserve it.  We don't wish it on anyone else, but we certainly all wish it wasn't us.

I go walking a lot, I always have anyway because I don't drive, and I don't work any more.  Walking always helps clear my head, because I see life outside, and people, and the world doing its' thing, and it definitely changes my mood.  Quiet coffee shops with a good book or crossword often helps me too, my brain has to go to another place. ( I didn't tell a soul for a few weeks when I discovered my Lump and then went to the 'one-stop clinic' and they dropped the bombshell.  But that's me  -  I am very private, and I like to be in control!! )

You WILL get through this - with a wonderful family around you who love you, and with a step at a time, it's a kind of journey that none of us wanted to take, but we got given the ticket, and we hold on tight, and get off the other end.  You, me, and all the other lovely ladies here.

All the best to you.

[ann-m]

Hi Abella,
First of all welcome, we’ve all been there.
It is such a shock getting diagnosed, so what you’re feeling is quite usual & the uncertainty of the early days is always worse than the reality. The important thing is, now you’ve been diagnosed, it will be dealt with.
I felt exactly the same way about work, I couldn’t concentrate, had no time off in years, so as I had the sick leave, I took it. Just do what’s right for you.
You’ll get through it, we all do.
ann x

[Abella]

Hi Helen
Thank you for your reply . My operation is 28th Aug. Lumpectomy. Yh times between biospsy and results kill you. When I was told I was a wreck but I seemed to know it was cancer just had a feeling. My children are older and my daughter was with me when I was told. My son cried but as a mother you try and convince them everything is going to be OK even if you are worried. My doctor put me on sick straight away so I could get my head around everything and I was only going back to work for a week then off again as I have my pre op on Monday. So I thought stuff it is work for my company for 20yrs with hardly any sick so I thought itshe my time to focus on me. I think I'm coming to terms with it at moment but after my operation im thinking what's next too come. Hope all goes well with you .
Anne x

[helenann]

Hi Abella - welcome to the forum - I'm sure you'd rather not be here - but believe me its a godsend. I was diagnosed this time last week and felt the stuffing was knocked out of me and thought there was nothing down for me - but after reading all the inspirational stories on this site I realise just how treatable this disease is. Like you, I'm hoping for a lumpectomy and no chemo - at the moment that is the plan - however as there is a discrepancy between what showed up on the ultra sound scan and what can be felt on examination I have had to have an MRI - which was yesterday - I get the results of that next Wednesday - so fingers crossed nothing changes.

The waiting between tests is agonising - the worst for me has been between biopsy and diagnosis. Once diagnosed I've more or less accepted the situation.

I decided not to get signed off and have continued in work - its keeping my mind off things quite a bit - but its very personal and if you're better off at home thats great - just don't spend your time googling your diagnosis - come to this forum for a chat and reassurances instead.

A nice long walk, weather permitting, is a good idea as well.

I'm fortunate to have a fantastic supportive husband - haven't told the kids yet and still dreading that. In fact only about 5 people know what I'm going through at the moment.

I think we all have those feelings of 'why me?' - but stay positive - we can all get through this. I have good days/hours and bad days/hours but am managing to keep fairly upbeat most of the time now.

Do you have a date for your surgery?

Keep in touch.

Love

Helen

[helenann]

Hi Abella - welcome to the forum - I know you'd rather not be here but believe me its a godsend. It gives me so much hope - I was floored when I was told this time last week that I had breast cancer - thought it was the end for me - but from reading all the inspirational stories on this site I have come to realise that these days the disease is treatable and I've told myself to keep positive. It's not easy sometimes, but in the main I'm keeping upbeat about things. I was intially told that there were 2 lumps - one is definitely cancerous, but the physical exam doesnt 'match' what showed up on the Ultra sound scan so I had to have an MRI yesterday - I get the results of that next Wednesday - when I'm hoping to get a date for the opertaion and a treatment plan - hoping for a lumpectomy and no chemo - so if nothing further shows up on the MRI thats the plan (fingers crossed)

I've decided to continue in work - as it's keeping my mind off things somewhat - but it's whatever's best for you. What I would say if you're at home don't google your diagnosis - it will do you no good at all.

Try and get out for a long walk (weather permitting).

The waiting is awful, I agree. From biopsy to getting my diagnosis was the worst for me.

I,too, am lucky enough to have a fantastic husband who is with me all the way (which is why I feel so sorry for anyone trying to cope with this on thier own) However,we haven't told our kids yet and I'm dreading that.

Keep strong and keep us all posted on your 'journey'

Love

Helen

xxx

[Abella]

Hi all reading some of stories seem to make sense but I still have my own worries. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 30th July after finding a lump myself approximately 4 weeks before which the time waiting to see consultant to have test then waiting for results was the worst time of my life. I was so tired and drained but had to keep going. My operation is scheduled to remove lump and sentinel lymphnode as the scan showed no cancer in nodes. Apparently this could change so not sure until test are done. My head was all over the place and ready to explode after diagnosis. I'm still not 100% sure if I've got to have chemo but omg it plays on your mind all the time. I'm off work at the moment on sick but how long for it don't know. Some people say go back to work it will take your mind of it but my job is quite stressful at times. I sit and think why me what have I done to deserve this. I know I'm not on my own and I have support from family but sometimes I feel alone. I wish you all the best if you been diagnosed and are going through treatment we will kick this into touch . X